Camilo Duran once again stole the spotlight as Celtic wrapped up their pre‑season itinerary with a lively 2‑2 draw against the Italian giants AC Milan. The Colombian forward was directly involved in both Celtic’s opening goals – he found the back of the net himself and later set up a teammate – giving the Scottish side a comfortable lead before a rapid‑fire double from teenage striker Francesco Camarda turned the match into a shared point. From the first whistle, Celtic looked eager to impose themselves.
Their pressure paid off early when a careless back‑pass from AC Milan defender Strahinja Pavlovic slipped through the defensive line, allowing Duran to pounce. The forward took a left‑footed strike, slotting the ball into the far corner and marking his third goal in as many games of the summer tour.
The goal not only put Celtic ahead but also showcased Duran’s instinctive positioning and finishing ability, qualities that have quickly made him a fan favourite. Celtic’s second goal was a direct result of another defensive lapse by the Italians. Luke McCowan, operating high up the pitch, applied relentless pressure on the Milan back‑line, forcing an errant touch. Duran, ever alert, raced onto the loose ball, out‑muscled goalkeeper Lorenzo Torriani, and then delivered a precise cut‑back to James Forrest.
Forrest, with a powerful strike, doubled Celtic’s advantage, sending the home fans into a brief celebration. By halftime, the scoreline read 2‑0, and Celtic appeared to be cruising toward a comfortable victory.
The second half, however, unfolded quite differently. After a flurry of substitutions from AC Milan’s bench, the visitors began to gain momentum. Just a minute after the restart, Camarda made his impact. The young forward was brought down in the penalty area by Celtic defender Cameron Carter‑Vickers, prompting the referee to point to the spot.
Camarda calmly slotted the penalty home, reducing the deficit to a single goal and injecting fresh belief into the Milan side. Only six minutes later, Camarda struck again, this time with his head.
A well‑timed cross from the right, delivered by fellow substitute Samuel Chukwueze, found Camarda in the box. The teenager rose above the defenders and directed a powerful header into the net, equalising for Milan and turning the encounter into a tense finale. The swift response highlighted Milan’s depth and the quality of their young talent, as well as their determination to fight back after a sluggish first half.
Celtic also saw contributions from the bench. Thomas Hatton, a promising youngster, entered the fray and attempted a curling effort that narrowly missed the target, later forcing a crucial save from Torriani. Hatton’s cameo demonstrated the club’s commitment to giving emerging players valuable minutes in a competitive environment – a practice that manager Martin O’Neill praised as increasingly rare in modern football. Off the pitch, the match carried additional narrative threads.
Earlier in the day, Celtic’s cult hero Daizen Maeda completed a transfer to Premier League side Ipswich Town, marking the end of his tenure at the Scottish club. While his departure was a bittersweet moment for supporters, the team’s performance on the field provided a fitting tribute to his contributions. Speaking after the game, O’Neill reflected on the overall pre‑season experience.
“In terms of pre‑season, I really enjoyed it. I thought we did some really good things in the game. We just lost our concentration after half‑time,” he admitted, acknowledging the lapse that allowed Milan to claw back.
He continued, “I think Camilo Duran is a really good player. If he steers clear of injury he’ll be a big asset to us.” The manager also highlighted the importance of giving younger squad members a chance, noting, “It would be nice to see some more of the young players, they’ve been with us in pre‑season. Tom Hatton did well to take players on, which is a dying art. It’s really encouraging and there is a battle on to get into the side.” Looking ahead, Celtic’s focus now shifts to the start of the Scottish Premiership campaign.
Their opening league fixture is scheduled for August 3 at home against Dundee, a match that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. The kickoff is set for 7.30 pm, and the encounter will cap a groundbreaking opening weekend that will see all six top‑flight games televised live on Sky Sports for the first time in the competition’s history.
Fans can view the full slate of Celtic’s league fixtures, including the date of the season’s first Old Firm clash, by visiting the club’s official website. Beyond the immediate results, the pre‑season tour has provided valuable insight into the squad’s depth, tactical flexibility, and the integration of new signings such as Duran. The experience gained against a high‑calibre opponent like AC Milan will undoubtedly serve the team well as they embark on their title defence.
With a blend of seasoned veterans, emerging talents, and fresh acquisitions, Celtic appear poised to challenge for honours both domestically and in Europe. For supporters eager to stay updated, Sky Sports offers live streaming through its app, and the club’s official channels continue to share news on transfers, match previews, and exclusive content. As the summer draws to a close, the excitement builds for what promises to be an eventful season for the Glasgow side, with the hope that the lessons learned in Glasgow and Milan will translate into success on the domestic front.